The Avalanche signed a Swedish player, Joakim Lindstrom, to a one-year contract worth $600,000.

That in itself isn’t major news. The more intriguing aspect of Lindstrom coming to Denver is a teammate he had with his last Swedish club.

That teammate, defenseman Adam Larsson, is expected to be among the top four players selected next week in the first round of the NHL draft. The Avs have the No. 2 pick overall.

If the Avs tipped their hand by signing Larsson’s friend and teammate, they weren’t saying Wednesday. The Avs issued a statement, with general manager Greg Sherman saying they were pleased to bring in a player who led the Swedish Elite League in scoring last season.

Lindstrom, 27, scored 28 goals and had 32 assists for Skelleftea and was an SEL all-star. He has NHL experience, most recently having played 44 games for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008-09 and putting up nine goals and 20 points.

Lindstrom is considered a skilled playmaker, but he’s not a big, physical presence at 6-foot and 185 pounds. He was drafted 41st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2002, but his career never got going with Columbus. He played only 34 games in parts of two seasons for Columbus, posting four goals and eight points.

He bounced around the minors the next few years before signing with a Kontinental Hockey League team for the 2009-10 season, then with Skelleftea of the SEL last season.

Lindstrom’s signing could be interpreted as a clue that the Avalanche wants to draft Larsson — and also a clue about the Avs’ plans for Tomas Fleisch-mann, who had 21 points in 22 games for Colorado at left wing last season before suffering a pulmonary embolism.

Fleischmann, who can be an unrestricted free agent July 1, has yet to be cleared to play again by team doctors. Jean Martineau, the Avs’ vice president of media relations, said “nothing new” has developed with Fleischmann’s status.

Kono leaving.

Steve Konowalchuk, an Avalanche assistant coach the last two seasons, is leaving the team to be the head coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. The Avs are expected to name his replacement soon.

More in Sports

Over the course of the pursuit of a prep wrestling championship four-peat, there always seems to be a defining match or two that either makes or breaks the chance at joining the most exclusive club in the sport.